Gran Torino [WS] [DVD] [2008]

Every so often, a film comes by that challenges the way you look at movies and actors. Gran Torino is one that changed my appreciation for Clint Eastwood.  Gran Torino is the story of a dying breed of man in modern times. The story starts with Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) overseeing his wife's funeral. He's old and set in his ways. Walt's family is of little comfort in his time of grieving. Upon returning to his house, Walt notices a Hmong family moving in next door. This is the first of many racist comments to come.  The story goes on from here to depict Walt's life. Walt lives in isolation from his family and people like him. His unmistakably racist attitude pushes the character through the film. When Thao (Bee Vang), one of the Hmong living next door, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino, Thao's family requires him to work for Walt as means of apologizing.  What I liked about this film is that it doesn't adhere to the standard gun slinger role that Eastwood normally plays. The character of Walt is very deep. A little something is revealed about him with every character he interacts with. While the commercials make this seem like he's cleaning up the neighborhood, the truth is that Walt just wants to be left alone. His response to the Hmong is to stay off his lawn, regardless of who they are. I found it easy to identify with Walt, minus the incessant racial slurs.  The supporting cast was mostly background noise. While Vang played Thao well, it was Ahney Her's portrayal of Sue that kept the film rolling. Sue drives a major portion of Walt's character development. Other than Sue and Thao, the remainder of the characters are very forgettable.  I was disappointed with the special features on the Blu-Ray. There was one that focused on the bond between a man and his car. While I understand the placement, I hoped for deleted scenes or something that added to the film. This shows that you can't add much to this masterpiece.  There are very few films that I set out to see. Gran Torino was a recommendation from a friend, and I now recommend it. The film explores racism in a light that hasn't been touched before. Eastwood's performance was astounding. The writing did an excellent job of exploring Walt's struggles without slowing the film's pace. The ending of the film is one that most may not see coming.  I strongly recommend seeing Gran Torino. This is a great addition to any library. It touches the subject of racism in an entertaining way that I haven't seen before.

Every so often, a film comes by that challenges the way you look at movies and actors. Gran Torino is one that changed my appreciation for Clint Eastwood.  Gran Torino is the story of a dying breed of man in modern times. The story starts with Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) overseeing his wife's funeral. He's old and set in his ways. Walt's family is of little comfort in his time of grieving. Upon returning to his house, Walt notices a Hmong family moving in next door. This is the first of many racist comments to come.  The story goes on from here to depict Walt's life. Walt lives in isolation from his family and people like him. His unmistakably racist attitude pushes the character through the film. When Thao (Bee Vang), one of the Hmong living next door, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino, Thao's family requires him to work for Walt as means of apologizing.  What I liked about this film is that it doesn't adhere to the standard gun slinger role that Eastwood normally plays. The character of Walt is very deep. A little something is revealed about him with every character he interacts with. While the commercials make this seem like he's cleaning up the neighborhood, the truth is that Walt just wants to be left alone. His response to the Hmong is to stay off his lawn, regardless of who they are. I found it easy to identify with Walt, minus the incessant racial slurs.  The supporting cast was mostly background noise. While Vang played Thao well, it was Ahney Her's portrayal of Sue that kept the film rolling. Sue drives a major portion of Walt's character development. Other than Sue and Thao, the remainder of the characters are very forgettable.  I was disappointed with the special features on the Blu-Ray. There was one that focused on the bond between a man and his car. While I understand the placement, I hoped for deleted scenes or something that added to the film. This shows that you can't add much to this masterpiece.  There are very few films that I set out to see. Gran Torino was a recommendation from a friend, and I now recommend it. The film explores racism in a light that hasn't been touched before. Eastwood's performance was astounding. The writing did an excellent job of exploring Walt's struggles without slowing the film's pace. The ending of the film is one that most may not see coming.  I strongly recommend seeing Gran Torino. This is a great addition to any library. It touches the subject of racism in an entertaining way that I haven't seen before.

Every so often, a film comes by that challenges the way you look at movies and actors. Gran Torino is one that changed my appreciation for Clint Eastwood.  Gran Torino is the story of a dying breed of man in modern times. The story starts with Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) overseeing his wife's funeral. He's old and set in his ways. Walt's family is of little comfort in his time of grieving. Upon returning to his house, Walt notices a Hmong family moving in next door. This is the first of many racist comments to come.  The story goes on from here to depict Walt's life. Walt lives in isolation from his family and people like him. His unmistakably racist attitude pushes the character through the film. When Thao (Bee Vang), one of the Hmong living next door, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino, Thao's family requires him to work for Walt as means of apologizing.  What I liked about this film is that it doesn't adhere to the standard gun slinger role that Eastwood normally plays. The character of Walt is very deep. A little something is revealed about him with every character he interacts with. While the commercials make this seem like he's cleaning up the neighborhood, the truth is that Walt just wants to be left alone. His response to the Hmong is to stay off his lawn, regardless of who they are. I found it easy to identify with Walt, minus the incessant racial slurs.  The supporting cast was mostly background noise. While Vang played Thao well, it was Ahney Her's portrayal of Sue that kept the film rolling. Sue drives a major portion of Walt's character development. Other than Sue and Thao, the remainder of the characters are very forgettable.  There are very few films that I set out to see. Gran Torino was a recommendation from a friend, and I now recommend it. The film explores racism in a light that hasn't been touched before. Eastwood's performance was astounding. The writing did an excellent job of exploring Walt's struggles without slowing the film's pace. The ending of the film is one that most may not see coming.  I strongly recommend seeing Gran Torino. This is a great addition to any library. It touches the subject of racism in an entertaining way that I haven't seen before.

Gran Torino is a great movie in every aspect of the word. I watch it all the time and tell everyone what a fantastic movie it is. Saw it first weekend it was in theaters. The following took my father because he loves Clint Eastwood movies. It was sold out the Saturday we went so we returned the following day. I gave it out for gifts to people that I know enjoy watching good movies. I bought my shortly after it came out. Unexpected ending. Can't get enough. I am waiting for my kids to be old enough to watch it. I think it is a great learning experience for teens. To know more about gangs and the problems they can cause. To think in this movie a gang is more powerful than family blood. It also shows how people from different background and different generations can turn to each other and be there for each other. This movie is not a disappointment. I think this movie can give parents the opportunity to watch it with their children when they are old enough and discuss so much. The values that people have. The choice people make. The results of the choices people make. Talk about gangs and how they effect so many people not just the people in them. Gangs - are they family? How one person can effect so many people. How people can help others and not realize it until it is pointed out to them. How silence against gangs could prevent other things from happening. I can't say enough about this movie. GREAT AMAZING FANTASTIC WONDERFUL

Let me first say this movie should have won best picture at the oscars not the movie called slumdog millionaire.This movie has eveything a oscar movie should have a strong cast,a very good storyline,and a very strong point to it.I have seen a lot of Clint eastwood movies when i was growing up I watch them all the time with my dad.The other thing I like about this movie is it has a very good lesion to be learn in it and that is not all things can be handled with gun or fist.The movie has it funny part mostly from Clint Eastwood character.I like how this movie was not you average movie this movie has a lot going for it and we have clint eastwood to thank for it. I dont care what other say this is the movie that should have bean beating the movie slumdog millionaire at the oscars.

Clint Eastwood scored for the sixth straight time (following Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters From Iwo Jima, and Changeling) with this wonderful drama about widowed war veteran Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) who, having cut off (& been cut off) by his two sons (Brian Haley & Brian Howe), is less than thrilled by the arrival of his new neighbors: a Hmong famly. This contempt increases when he catches one of them (Bee Vang) attempting to steal his prized possession: the title automobile. The youth is disciplined by his family and he apologizes to Walt. This turns out to be the first step toward Walt overcoming his own bigotry and eventually embracing his new neighbors.

this movie is great. out of all the movies i have seen lately this is the only movie i can honestly say its worth buying. anymore it is easier to stream movies online or rent them from teh playstation store than to purchase them becuase very few movies are worth buying. this movie was the one acception. in my opinion it is very funny, clint eastwood plays a rude, crude old man who has some very interesting things to say. the story itself revolves around his neighbors and their interactions. it comes to a finally after clint eastwood takes the law into his own hands against a group of thugs who hurt his neighbors. it isnt a typical eastwood film, so dont think DIRTY HARRY. it is a little slow paced but the story and acting are great.

This film depicts a good explanation about racism, stereotypes, prejudice, and how one should not judge another group of people before getting to know them. There is a great relationship between the two main characters, and each one needed to move a little in the other's direction to see the other person for whom they truly were. My hometown is rich with Hmong culture, so the film was interesting and relatable to me because of the cultural similarities I see every day. Great people, great film.